Railroad truck centering device



Aug. l, 1933. J. G. BLUNT RAILROAD TRUCK CENTERING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 4, 1950 INVENTOR James G15/H7 A TORNEY Aus l, 1933. 1G. BLUNT 1,920,348

RAILROAD TRUCK CENTERING DEVICE Filed Nov. 4, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY Jmcs GLB/unf TORNEY Patented Auge L 19335Y RAILROAD TRUCK CENTERENG DEVICE JamesG. Blunt, Schenectady, N. Y.- Application November 4, 1930. Serial`No.'Li93,Z85

13 Claims.

This invention relates to centering devices for railroad trucks, of the type adapted to permit a relative lateral movement between the truck and truck and the frame bach 'to their normal relative positions. ln the use of suche. centering device, however, there is also a relative'longitudinal and rotative movement of the truck and the frame which eifects the roller seats, that is to say, a Variation in the positions of the roller seats tends to result by reason of the radial movement of the truck and the consequent relative straight line movement of the frame. This variation must be compensated for in order to attain smooth and eicient operation. t will be understood thatwhere the word lateral is used bothin the specification and claims herein, it is intended to mean a direction which is lateral or transverse with respect to the locomotive.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of the aforesaid character wherein the said longitudinal and rotary movements oi the truck relative to the locomotive frame will be compensated for, and which device will be of a simple yet durable and 'practical construction. Y

`lt will be understood that while the invention is described herein as applied tola locomotive,it may be used on any vehicle where it will prove serviceable and that all such changes and modifications in the details of construction of the device which may be found desirable and will be apparent to those skilled in the art, arecontemplated as within the spirit of this invention a defined in the appended claims. l

In the accompanying drawings Figure vl is a vention, the right half being in section taken on the line l-l of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 isl asection taken on the' line I-II of Fig. l; Fig. r3, on the left side is a plan View, and on Athe right side is an inverted plan view of the lower roller seat; Figs. 4 to 9 inclusive are enlarged views; Fig; 4 is a intersections ofthe inclines serving tol bring the` side View of a centering device embodying the in4V (ci sos- 22m side view of the rocker; Fig. 5 isan end View of saine; Fig'. 6 is a plan View of same; Fig. 7 is a 'plan kviewv of the rocker guide, with the rocker shown in broken lines therein; Fig. 8 is a side View of saine; Fig. 9 is an end view of same; 60 Fig. l0 is a fragmentary side View of the back end of a locomotive showing the invention applied thereto; and Fig. 11 is a plan view oi same, certainparts being omitted.

In describing the apparatus of thepresent invention, it will be understood that there will be a centeringdevice, or lateral motion adjusting unit, disposed on each side of the locomotive, at an angleto the axis of the locomotive in the usual manner, as shown in Fig. 11. Both of thek devices being of identical construction, only one will be described in the detailed description hereinafter following. y

Referring in detail to the specific embodiment of the invention as herein exemplied, a lower portion of a locomotive frame 1, is indicated by broken lines in Fig. l, and secured thereto is an upper roller seat 2. Disposed beneath the seat 2, is a lower roller seat 3, the two seats having teeth ifo-fined centrally along their inner faces between the bearing surfaces 5 thereof. Rollers 6 are positioned between theV seats 2 andV 3, and have teeth 7 formed centrally thereon and adapted to mesh with the teeth 4 of the seats so as to produce a positive rotation of the rollers when the seats are moving laterally in opposite directions,'their Aouter surfaces 5 bearing upon the bearing surfaces 8 of the rollers. .The rollers are yokedftogether by a frame 9 to maintain them and the seats in normal relation to each other and to protect the teeth from dirt or foreign matter. The frame 9 is formed of a casting hav- ,f ing an ropen top and bottom. The frame encloses the rollers and has bearings 10 formed in its sides for the pins ll of the rollers. The sides lof the frame overlap the seats 2 and 3, holding the-seats in their proper vertical and parallel alignment. Y

The inner side of the 'upper roller seat is inclined upwardly and then downwardly, from the middle ofV the seat at both sides thereof, and the inner side of the'lower seat is inclineddownwardly and then upwardly, from its middle at both sides thereof, the degree of `inclination being predetermined so as to effect the desired degree of centering eirort or lateral resistance. In normal position the axes of the rollers will be in line with the intersection of the reverse inclines of theseats, and while a relative lateral movement between the truck and the frame will 11,0

be permitted upon traversing curved track, by the relative movement of the seats, the resistance ailorded to the same will eiect the subsequent return of the parts to their normal positions. i

On the lower roller seat 3 depending flanges 12 are formed. A guide member 13 is disposedbetween the lower seat and the truck 14, in a socket l5 mounted on the truck. Extensions 16 are formed on the sides of the guide member 13 and adapted to ooact with the anges 12, to ensure the rotation of the guide member with the seats while permitting the seat 3 to move inra transverse direction relative to its lateral movement with relation to the truck. The lower portion 17 of the guide 13 is cylindrically shaped andv member 1 8 rests on the loor of the soci/zet and supports the lower seat 3 on its upper end 19 which is shaped to aiiord a rounded bearing suriace. The rocker comprises the lower, upwardly slanting, extensions or arms 20, the ends of which are adjacent rib members 21 formed on the inner sides of the guidemember. The rocker isthus interlocked with the guide member 13 to rotate therewith, but is free to rock relative thereto. `The lower roller seat 3, by reason of this arrangement and construction of the rocker is permitted to roll on the head 19 of the same, transversely to its lateral movement to compensate for the relative longitudinal movement oi the truck. and the rameand to maintain its vertical alignment with the upper seat. The extensions 20 limit the travel of the rocker and conne it between the ribs `21so as to effect a positive rolling motion. i

Referring to Figure 1i, the invention is here diagrammatically illustrated as, applied tok a two-wheel truck pivotally connected by a radius bar pin indicated at A to the main frame ,of a locomotive. The line V25 indicates the center position of one of the lateral. motion devices when thelocomotive frame and truck frame are in relative normal positions on a straight track, the line being drawn from the radius bar pin through said center of the device. `It will be apparent that in the operation of the locomotive,

vin which the centering device embodying the invention is employed between its *frame `and one of its trucks, when traversing acurved sec-- tion of track, by reason of the rollerand seat arrangement, the truck and frame will be allowed the necessary relative lateral movement as indicated by the lines 22 that is, these lines are drawn Yfrom the radius bar pin 'through thev center of the lower roller seat, in the positions taken by the same when :laterally lmoved in opposite directions with relation to the upper roller seat and locomotive frame. The line ZS-indica'tes the line oi travel of the center of the roller seats of the lateral motion device and the arc 24 indicates the line of travel of the 'center oi the guidefmember 13 on the truck. the relative movement of the'trucl: and the locomotive -raine the revolving movement of the rocker and guide member within the socket permits the parallel alignment between the roller adapted to rotate relative lto the pf ,which it is adapted for engagement and with seats to be undisturbed; and the rolling oi the lower seat on the rocker transversely to the lateral movement permits the relative vertical straight alignment of the seats to be maintained. The truck and locomotive frame are, as aforesaid, brought baci; to their relative normal. position upon returning to tangent track.

The invention claimed and desired secured by Lettere Patent is:

1. A device for interposition between a locomotive superstructure portion and a truck portion for transmitting a part oi the load oi vthe former to the latter, said portions being connected for relative angular movement, comprising a centering device having up lower relatively movable parts, one ci the parte being adapted to be disposed adjacent one of por tions and to move therewith; a e rocker member Araving oppositely u, per and lower faces, one of faces being in roliengagement with the other oi' said parts, the other of said adapted rolling engagement with the other oi WJid 'por-- tions, said parts and rocher member adapted to cooperate to transmit .i L load to 100 the truck portion and being norma y in vertical alignment, and said rocker mernb beiir" to be engaged part upon said relative movement oi said parts.

2. A device for interpositicn betweena locomotive superstructure and a truck for 'ransmitting a part of the load oi the former to the latter, said superstructure and truck being co' 110 nected for relative angular movement, compris-- ing a centering device having an up part adapted :to with the superstructure to move therewith and a lower part movable relative to the upper part; and a separate i rocker member having oppositely and lower faces, the upper face being in rolling engagement with the lower part and the lower race being adapted for rolling engagement with the truck, saidv parts land rocker member being adapted to cooperate to transmit said load to said truck and being normally in vertical alignment, and said rocker member being adapted for rotation relative tothe truck and with said lower part, upon said relative movement of said parts.

3. A device for interposition between a locomotive superstructure portion and a truck portion for transmitting a part oi' the load oi the 130 `former yto the latter, said portions being connected for relative angular movement, comprising a centering device having upper and lower relatively movable parts, one o the parts being adapted-to be disposed adjacent one of the portions and to move tlierewitl'i; a separate rocker member having oppositelyv disposed upper and lower faces, one oi said iaces being in rolling engagement with the other of said parts, and the other oi. said faces being adapted i'or rolling en- 140 gagement with the other of said portions, said parts and rocker member being adapted to transmit said load to the truck portion and being normally in vertical alignment; and means operably connecting the centering device with the rocker member, adapting the rocker member for positive rotation relative to the portion with `which it is adapted for engagement, during the motive superstructure `and a truck for transmitting a part of the load'of the former to the latter, said superstructure and truck being connected for relative :angular movement comprising a centering device having an upper part adapted to be engaged with the superstructure to move therewith, and alower part movable relative to the upper part; va separate rocker` member having oppositely disposedupper and lower faces, the upper face being' inrolling en-` gagement with the lower part and the lower face being adapted for rolling engagement with laterally movable truck portion for transmitting a part oi the load of the former to the latter, comprising a centering device having upper and lower relatively moving parts, one of the parts being adapted to be disposed adjacent one of the portions and to move therewith laterally relative to the other portion; a separate rocker memberhaving oppositely disposed vupper and lower faces, one oi" said faces being in rolling engagement with `the other of said parts, and the other oi said faces being adaptedfor rolling engagement with the other of said portions, said parts and rocker member being adapted to cooperate to transmit said load to the truck portion and being normally in vertical :alignment; and means adapted to compel'said rocker member and centering device to rotate with one portion relative to the other portion upon relative lateral movement of the portions.

6. In a centering device for a railroad truck comprising upper and lower roller seats having rollers interposed therebetween to provide ior formed on its sides, said lower seat having downtheir relative lateral movement and adjustment, means comprising a guide member rotatably disposed beneath the lower seat, and a rocker member within said guide member adapted for support on said truck and supporting said seats, adapted to permit parallel and vertical alignment of said vseats to be `maintained during said relative lateral movement.

7. In a centering device for a railroad truck, the combination of upper and lower roller seats having rollers interposed therebetween to provide for their relative lateral movement and adjustment, a frame adapted to maintain said seats and rollers in alignment, a socket adapted to be secured on the truck, a guide member rotatably disposed in said socket, and arocker member operatively disposedin said guide member supporting said seats, whereby parallel and vertical alignment of said seats will be permitted during said relative lateral movement.

8. In a centering device for a railroad truck, the combination of upper and lower roller seats having rollers interposed therebetween to provide ior their relative lateral movement and adjustment, a frame adapted to maintain said `flanges adapted to co-act with said extensions to effect positive rotation of said guide member with the rotation of said lower 'seat and to permit movement of said lower seat, 'transverse to its saidlateral movement, relative to said guidev member, and a rockermember disposed withinA said guide member adapted to be supported on said truck and supporting said lower seat, whereby maintenance of parallel and vertical alignment or said seats will be permitted during their relative lateral movement.

9. In acentering device for a railroad truck, comprising upper and lower roller seats having'V rollers interposed therebetween to provide for their relative lateral movement and adjustment, a frame adapted to maintain said seats in alignment, a guide member rotatably disposed beneath the lower seat and having upward exten` sions formed on its' sides, said lower seat having downwardly extending flanges adapted to coact with said extensions to eiect positive rotation of said guide member with the rotation of said lower seat and to permit movement of said lower seat,l vtransverse to its` said lateral movement', relative to said' guide member, and said guide member having ribs formed on its inner sides, a rocker member disposed vin said guide member adapted to be supported on said truck and supporting said seats, said rocker member having upwardly extending arms formed thereon adjacent saidribs, and said rocker member beingr limited in its travel and engaged by said ribs and having a positive rolling motion, whereby maintenance of parallel and vertical alignment of said seats will be permitted during said relaltive lateral movement.

10. In a centering f device for a locomotive truck, the combinationl of upper and lower roller seats having rollers interposed therebetween to provide for their relative lateral movement and adjustment, a frame for said seats and rollers,

the upper roller seat being adapted to be secured to the ,frame of the locomotive, a socket adapted vto be secured on said truck` beneath the lower roller seat, a guide member rotatably disposed within said socket havingy upward extensions wardly extending langes adapted to co-act with said extensions to eiect positive rotation of said guide member with therotation of said .lower seat and to permit movement o1 said lower tive frame will be effected by said seats andv parallel and vertical alignment of said seats will be maintained by said guide member and rocker member during said relative lateral movement and adjustment.

11. In a centering device for a locomotive truck, the combination of upper and lower roller seats having rollers interposed therebetween to provide for their relative lateral movement and adjustment, a frame for said seats and rollers, the upper roller seat being adapted to be secured to the locomotive frame, asocket adapted to be secured on said truck beneath the lower seat, a guide member rotatably disposed within said socket having upward extensions formed'on its sides, said lower seat having downwardly extending flanges adapted to co-act with said extensions to effect positive rotation of said guide member with the rotation of said lower seat and isoy lower seat and permitting said lower seat to.

move thereon transversely oi its lateral movement, said` guide kmember having ribs formed onits inner sides and said rocker member comprising upwardly` extending` arms adjacent said ribs limiting its travel and engaged by said ribs and having a positive rolling motion, whereby relative lateral movement and adjustament of said truck and said locomotive frame will be effected by said seats and parallel and vertical adj istnient ci said seats will be maintained by said guidemember and `roclrer member during said relative lateral movement.

l2. A device ior interposition between a locomotive superstructure portion and a truck portion for transmitting a part of the load of the former to the latter, comprising a centering device having upper and lower relatively movable one ci centering device parte being.

adapted to be disposed adjacent one of said portions, and a separate rocker member `having cppcsitelv disposedupper and lower faces, one of said rocker member faces being in rolling engagement with the other of said centering device parts at its longitudinal center line, whereby said engaging centering device part and said rocker member face will be permitted relative tilting movement to permit said two centering device parts to be maintained against relative transverse tilting, and the other of said rocker member faces `being adapted for rolling engagement with the other of` said portions, said centering device parts and said rocker `member being adapted tor vcooperate to transmit said load to said truck portion and being normally in vertical alignment.

13. A device for interposition between a locomotive superstructure and a truck for transmitting a part of the load of the formedto the latter, comprising a centering device having an upper part ,adapted to be engaged with said superstructure and a lower part movable relative to said upper part, and a separate rocker member having oppositel,7 disposed upper and lower faces, said upper rocker member face being in rolling engagement with said lower centering device part at its longitudinal center line, whereby said lower centering device part and said upper rocker member face will be permitted relative tilting movement to permit said centering device parts to be maintained against relative transverse tilting, and said lower rocker member face being adapted for rolling engagement with said truck, said two centering device parts and said rocker member being adapted to cooperate` to transmit said load torsaid truck and being normally7 in vertical alignment.

JAMES G. BLUNT. 

